Several years ago, I came across an amazing poem.  If I am not mistaken, Kent Keith originated this poem in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed it on her children's home in Calcutta in a slightly different version.  Most sources now quote this poem, titled "Anyway", as written by Mother Teresa:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, 
And self-centered; 
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you 
Of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
False friends and some true enemies; 
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank; 
People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, 
someone could destroy overnight; 
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, 
they may be jealous; 
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, 
people will often forget tomorrow; 
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, 
and it may never be enough; 
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis 
it is between you and God 
It was never between you and them anyway.

Wow, what a powerful and beautiful message.  And for those who are not religious in the standard sense, but consider themsleves spiritual in some way or form, I would say that it is between you and the universal life force and energy that is all around you and within you.

To me, the poem's simple yet profound message is that we should try to lead our lives in alignment with our virtue, honesty, integrity, purpose and sense of contribution - and not to be swayed from our true path by the negative forces that may confront us along the way.  And, ultimately, to do all this not for the sake of recognition, glory, power or sense of entitlement but for that internal sense of satisfaction that is not dependent on anyone else's evaluation, praise or critique.  An amazing message and vision to live by.  To do and strive and create and contribute simply because it is the right thing to do and because it reaffirms our deepest values - without expecting anything in return and despite the potential disapproval of others.  To stay true to ourselves, our goals and our aspirations in the face of adversity, in the face of the setbacks and in the face of failure - to derive satisfaction and fulfillment from the doing and the contribution irrespective of potential outcome.